UK Muslims gave four times more than the average donor over the last year, a survey has revealed.

While Muslims over the last year gave £708, the average for all adults who donate was £165.

Responses from more than 1,000 British Muslims were received through the survey by creative agency Blue State.

The survey found that almost half of UK Muslims are planning to give more to charity over the next year, compared to a fifth of all donors.

London and the East are the most generous regions, with Muslims in those areas giving three and five times more than the UK average respectively. The most generous age group is 45- to 54-year-olds, who give £723 a year on average.

The war in Gaza is a key driver of giving in recent months. Three in four have already donated to support those impacted by war in the region.

Through their faith Muslims are required to give a portion of their wealth to good causes, known as Zakat.

Half of Muslims are open to giving to their Zakat to charities, with ease and transparency of giving “crucial motivators when it comes to giving”, found researchers.

Trust in international organisations supporting people is higher among Muslims, the survey also found. While almost three in five Muslims trust such organisations, the proportion is two in five among all adults.

Blue State says that its findings suggest charity fundraising teams need to do more to target Muslim donors in the UK.

“What perhaps feels most positive at a time of ever-growing crises and rising cynicism amongst many audiences, is to show that Muslims in the UK would like to hear more from organisations, and carry hope for a better, more equal future,” said Blue State.

The agency also found that Muslims are twice as likely as the wider UK population to have taken action to leave a legacy gift in their will. One in four say they are “very open” to add a donation to charity in their will “the highest of all donor profiles”.

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